Discover the Beauty of the Sandakphu Trek: From Manebhanjan to Phalut

Located in the Great Himalayan Range, Sandakphu trek is one of the most beautiful treks for travellers and nature enthralled. The highest point found in West Bengal is Sandakphu which is at an attitude of 3636 meters from here one can have the stunning look of the world’s highest peak Mount Everest Kanchenjunga Lhotse and Makalu. Here in this article, I am going to marshal detailed information about Sandakphu trek and it covers preparation, time table/itinerary and in addition, the flowers and animals to expect while on a trek.

1. Introduction to Sandakphu Trek
Location and Significance
Sandakphu is located at the border of two countries namely, India and Nepal; it is situated in the Singalila Ridge extending from the Indian state of West Bengal’s Darjeeling district to the state of Sikkim. This trek is ranked as one of the most beautiful treks with the widest view and look at the geography and the Sleeping Buddha – the Kanchenjunga mass.

Best Time to Trek
In other words, the preferable time for hiking the Sandakphu trek is from April to June and from October to December. In both these months the weather remains quite pleasant; there is a number of sunny days, and one can observe snowy mountains.

2. Preparation for the Trek
Physical Fitness
The Sandakphu trekking is comparatively easy but one should be somewhat fit for doing this trekking. Applying serious preparations for the trek should begin at least a month before the start of the trek: aerobic exercises, anaerobic exercises, stretching exercises.

Essential Gear
Clothing: Winter dress, thermal woolen vest with James tailoring water and wind proof jacket and trouser which is also water proof.
Footwear: Good shoes that can be worn for trekking preferably shoes that have a good grip on the bottom part of the shoe.
Accessories: A proper backpack a pair of good quality trekking poles or walking stick, a hat, gloves, sun glasses and a water flask that is purposed to be reused.
Miscellaneous: A first aid kit, necessary medication for a specific illness an individual maybe suffering from, sun block, lip guard, and some munchies.

Trekking Route and Itinerary
Day 1: Manebhanjan arrival
**Manebhanjan from where the actual trekking starts is a small village and is about 26-kilometer far from Darjeeling. Here, the trekkers mostly use car to get there from Darjeeling. It offers small accommodation and is the beginning point of Kanchendzonga trek and Singalila National Park.

Day2: On this particular day, Manebhanjan shall be covered and the next destination is Tumling, which is just 11km away.
The trekkers’ path from Manebhanjan to Tumling is sparsely curving upward and all over the trail pass through forest and villages. Tumling situated at the height of 2, 896m gives the best of the view of the third largest mountain of the world Kanchenjunga. Normally the overnight stay in a trek is in trekkers’ hut or lodge.

Day3: Tumling to Kalipokhri: 13 km Them third day of the KOMU trek and that is when one begins to appreciate the fact that it is not easy to trek.
The actual trekking that is Tumling to Kalipokhri passes through Singalila National Park where and find red Panda, Himalayan black bear, other birds & reptiles. Kalipokhri: There is another small settlement named kalipokhre originated from black colored water of a kalatal grow available on the side of the trek where trekker can halt for the night.

Day4. On the fourth day, the calculated distance was 6 Km, which was the route from Kalipokhri to Sandakphu.
This segment is a comparatively shorter one which takes you through steep ascends to Sandakphu. This is done so as to be rewarded with splendid sight of the house of snow the Mount Everest & Kanchenjunga hills. Majority of the staying facilities in Sandakphu consists of small shacks and huts where people put up for the night.

DAY 5- Sandakphu to Phalut (13/8, 21/8 km)
The next to two days involves Sandakphu to Phalut which is also one of the beautiful parts of the trek most of the trail goes parallel to the ridge. At 3573 meters there is a good place known as Phalut to see the mass of Kanchenjunga.

Day6: In Gorkhey they will find teast house and tented accommodation available Last HD image: Day 6- Phalut to Gorkhey via Sandakphu & Sikkim- 15 kms
Downward the trial is Gorkhey, an eminent village situated in the dwelling of mountains, forests and rivers that is coming down from Phalut. This does not perhaps turn Gorkhey into much of a place to watch beauty of the nature but it is a very beautiful place for night logistics.

Day7: The final day is Day 7 which is trek from Gorkhey to Srikhola and it measures 15km.
However, the last and final day is relatively very easy because you only have to go downhill till Srikhola which is in fact a pretty good and a very beautiful village. They found it more preferable for the trekkers to either sit or make a camp near the river before making it to Manebhanjan or Darjeeling.

1. Flora and Fauna Diverse Vegetation On the trek the type of vegetation changed from temperate forests to sub-tropical forests of Rhododendrons, magnolias and oaks, alpine meadows and Bamboo forests.

Wildlife Encounters
It almost seems like it is possible for the trekker to come across wild lives such as the red panda, black bear, some species of pheasants and other birds etc Since this trek is under Singalila national park which is one of the bio-diversity country it is possibilities of many fun spotting of animals, birds, plants and insects etc.

1. Cultural Experiences Local Villages Since they will be offered chance to taste and relish real Nepali foods, there are several small villages where trekkers can encounter the folks of such region in the Himalayas. This is especially the case in the welcoming spirit of the people in the admission and friendliness in making the surrounding environment for trekking more attractive.

Buddhist Influence
H1 The dominant religion of the people in the region is Buddhism and most of the people in this region adhere to the Tibetan Buddhism Throughout the entire trekking exercise, people are liable to come across several chortens which are unique structures that have been built conforming to the laid down codes of architectural and designing principles of Buddhism in addition to the prayer flags that are found in this region and which are of the Tibetan origin. Besides, the environment free from experiment is an additional advantage because it offers the religious view of the trekking tour.

6. Challenges and Rewards
Physical and Mental Challenges
I’d classify this trek as moderate but it has its tests steep climb, bad unpredictable climate and high altitude are things one has no control over. For one to go for a trek there is always need to prepare and acclimatize especially for the physically unfit individuals or for those going to high altitudes.

The Ultimate Reward
Indeed, such a victory, and such a view of the highest mountains of the earth is worth passing through all the tests. But waking up early in the morning to capture the first light on a day when one is face to face with the giant Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu is beyond comparison.

7. Environmental Considerations
Leave No Trace
Mild travellers should attend emergences of Responsible Tourism and, therefore, do the Leave No Trace planning strategy. This include; not throughing any form of trash around, avoiding any annoying of wildlife and only stamping the ground on paths or tracks.

Responsible Tourism
Tourism sustainability also encompasses the choice and expenses on local products, mainly the eco-friendly products within the categories of the accommodations and trekking equipment. It assists in averting the current generation pollute the earth in ways that the next generation will be forced to solve full.

1. Conclusion
   Thus, Sandakphu trek is not a mountain destination only, it is the Chhutti-Paltu of spirit and soul; It is the mountains in me and me in mountains. This has various geographical destination that Cover the range of terai which is interesting in terms of flora and Fauna of the region, Cultural rain forest tour and of course the pleasure and joy that is an accompany with the trekking experience at Sandakphu. Yes, if you are an occasional trekker nature enthusiant, you must be definitely fond of Sandakphu trek which is always going to compel you to look for more.

2. FAQs
   Q1. This is a question which many people ask usually when considering engaging in the Sandakphu trek Is prior trekking experience compulsory on the Sandakphu trek?
   No, literally any one can do the Sandakphu trek because it is not very difficult for a beginner, if planned properly. However, optimum fitness should not be sidelined and it is preferable to be in perfect form duly signifying, in case of cardio syndrome is concerned.

Q2. For this Sandakphu trek which permits are needed?
Those intending to go to Gorumara, Neora Valley National Park, Sandakphu and Sikkim needs a permit for Singalila National Park which is obtained at Manebhanjan.

Q3. Why, must I know if there is any Whether, in the whole trekking area, there is any facility of ATM?
Yes, it is good to know that there will be no prompt misconceptions as to the availability of ATMs en route the trek. Hence, it is economically wise to take adequate amount of money from Darjeeling.

Q4. To what extent is the trek covered by mobile networks and/or to what extent are the signals of the networks receivable during the trek?
Unless during the mid of the day, the signals of mobile phones cannot be reached while in the trek and even if sometimes they are reached, it will be very hard to do so. As on the trek connection is appreciated it is advisable that a word be given to people one loves rather than one’s connection.

Q5. On the trek some cooking facilities to be provided include; Chapatti bread, reted beans, rice, dehydrated vegetables, powdered eggs, beverage mix and juice concentrate.
However, during the trekking, probably during the first days, simple vegetarian diets may be bought from the lodges and tea houses existing on the trekking trail. Due to this it is recommended that some of the foods should be transported along with the journey.

Persuade yourself and start the Sandakphu trek and the country of the gods and the virgin peaks. In general, with the proper preparation and the burning desire for the great achievement, this trek most definitely will turn into the unforgettable one.
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